Last month, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Angela Augustine, an insurance claims adjuster, who was allegedly involved in a $11.6 million automobile insurance fraud scheme.

Using her position as an insurance adjuster with access to auto insurance claims, Augustine allegedly reopened numerous claims and issued settlement checks to an estimated 326 alleged co-conspirators.

An investigation conducted by the CFO’s Division of Investigations and Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance Fraud, uncovered that during December 2018-October 2022, Augustine, had allegedly re-opened closed or settled claims and made an additional 1,255 fraudulent payments to approximately 326 co-conspirators totaling more than $11.6 million.

Augustine allegedly fabricated claims on auto insurance policies creating fictitious claimants and documented fictitious scenarios, along with fake documentation, including photos and repair estimates where fictitious claimants sustained damages to either their vehicle or other property, to issue false liability claim payments.

The reserves were then allegedly adjusted to support the false documentation to make payments on the claim in the amount matching the falsified documentation.

The co-conspirators would then allegedly cash the fraudulent insurance proceeds at a local check-cashing store.

Augustine was booked into Broward County Jail on September 27, 2023, on charges including Scheme to Defraud, Grand Theft, and Criminal Use of Personal ID Information. She faces up to 55 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Additional arrests are expected. This case will be prosecuted by the Broward County State Attorney’s Office 17th Judicial Circuit.